The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-15
THE .AooeL BARN.
A Valuable Contribution to the Subject Of
Farm Ensineering.

HE MODEL BARN.
| A Valuable Contribution to the Subject Of
Farm Engineering.
Probably about the best position for
the barn would be east or southeast of
the house, for yoa want it where the
odors will be blown from the house. a
thing that is often overlooked. and in
summer with the warm winds often
proving quite troublesome. In the
above directions from the house, You
would be able to have the yards and
! feed lots on the south and east sides of
the barn, which is an advantage in
winter, and to give things a neater APP
pearance, the view of the barn and lots
may be shut off from the house by
planting evergreen or other trees in
rows or clumps, which answer also for
windbreak
For a barn to be what you might call
model barn. every thing should be
arranged in it with reference to saving
labor and time. For instance, some
have the corn-crib off at quite a dis
tance, and in stormy weather, when
mud is ankle deep or snow has drifted
around. having to wade through this
after Il basket of corn is very disagree
able work, when just as well rs not =
crib of moderate size could be built in
the barn to hold enough corn to feed
the horses or cattle. Then, if the
horses be kept in the basement, instead
of going up and down three times a
day after grain. spoutS of some kind
could be made to save that extra work.
How readily person will notice, on
going into a well-planned barn any
convenience that has been arranged,
whether it really amounts to much in
itself or not, for it is the little things
put together that make the big things.
We find that the most common form of
a barn is the rectangular, though the
ocIayonal has come into use of late.
These forms have their advantages and
disadvantages, and from descriptions I
have read, some of the advantages are
very great: but l believe, until felt
that 1 thoroughly understood the adj
vantages of the octagonal over the rec
tangular form, would choose the lat
ter. 1t would be much easier to an
range it conveniently and make use of
all the space.
The barn must be warm, but well
ventilated, which can be done by
having u slated cupola, causing cur
rent of air to pass through all the time,
drawing in draft from below all i'm
pure air. In arranging the stalls.
crib. bins, ETC., one may decide for him.
self, but should have all conveniently
made. About IS square feet is suitable
space for each horse, for it allows 4
manger 81 feet wide. stall 81 feet long
and feet wide, with pathway behind
others without danger of being kicked.
The managers should not be more than
3-Sl feet high. for horses would rather
eat with their head down than to reach
all the time for their hay. The stall
floor should be little higher than that
of the pathway, and slOping toward it
to drain off the urine; little drain at
the foot of the stall floor being made
to carry it to the manure pile. The
barn must be dry, especially for horses
and milk cows; corn enough to run
through the winter and summer; all
the grain raised to be kept over, and
NOW room to hold the hay.
A separate building for the farm tools
and implements would be better than
having every thing in the barn. The
barn should. be we'll lighted with
windows around the horses. and also
be kept well painted. In the rectan-
gular barn we would have the hay
carrier and fork, one of the prominent
labor-saving machines which all should
make use of who have much hay to put
up. The size of the farm. and whether
a grain or stock farm, would have
something to do with the amount OF
capital you would want to put into the
barn and to fixing it up; for with plenty
of means barn could be built with all
..he latest improvements; but however
it is made, convenience, simplicity and
durability should be considered.-ChGs.
P. Gilmore, in Prairie Farmer.